Shady Side Academy tops Greensburg Central Catholic in girls soccer showdown
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Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 9:11 PM
Shady Side Academy’s Melissa Riggins battles Greensburg Central Catholic’s Hannah Nelson for the ball during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Gabby Hill-Junke (19) celebrates her second goal with Nina Singh and Callie Davis next to Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jessie Nemeth during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Callie Davis moves the ball past Greensburg Central Catholic’s Bethany Winnor during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy goalkeeper Molly Skvorak makes a save on a header attempt by Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jessie Nemeth during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Callie Davis works against Greensburg Central Catholic’s Natalie Ward in the rain during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tatum Gretz battles Shady Side Academy’s Sophia White for a header during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Eve Mango collides with Greensburg Central Catholic’s Talia Kilkeary during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Gabby Hill-Junke (19) celebrates her first goal with Melissa Riggins during their game against Greensburg Central Catholic Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Melissa Riggins pressures Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jessie Nemeth for the ball during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Shady Side Academy’s Callie Davis moves the ball past Greensburg Central Catholic’s Bethany Winnor during their game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
The latest installment of the Shady Side Academy versus Greensburg Central Catholic rivalry had a little bit of everything.
Each goaltender made terrific saves to keep it scoreless through halftime, an improbable goal broke open the scoring, and a coach was ejected late in the game.
No. 2 Shady Side Academy (10-1, 7-1) won the regular-season Section 1-A rematch on its home turf, 3-1, after losing 2-0 in the first game.
Indians midfielder Gabby Hill-Junke moved from midfielder to forward for the game, and she rewarded Shady Side Academy coach Mary Lynch’s decision with two goals in the second half.
“This is a great rivalry and I love it for how competitive it is,” Hill-Junke said. “It’s always tough to play them, but that makes every game we play exciting.”
Hill-Junke scored her first goal in the 49th minute by utilizing a step-back dribble around two defenders. Her left-footed, wide-angle shot found the back-left corner of the net.
She scored her second goal seven minutes later in a foot race with two defenders for No. 1 Greensburg Central Catholic (7-3, 6-1) and was able to pull ahead enough to settle the ball before scoring the winning goal. Indians forward Callie Davis scored on a breakaway goal in the 62nd minute.
“I believe the breakdowns (on the breakaways) happened on our offense, midfield and defense,” Centurions coach Briana Guy said. “When their players get open like that, someone should have marked them.”
Guy declined to comment on being issued back-to-back yellow cards, making for a red card, late in the second half when play became more physical. One player from each team was issued a yellow card in unrelated incidents.
Shady Side Academy goaltender Molly Skvorak made 12 saves before giving up a goal in the 76th minute to Greensburg Central Catholic senior Samantha Nemeth.
“Molly is solid and one of our tri-captains,” Lynch said. “They had good opportunities, and she really has stepped up all season.”
Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore Lyndsey Szekely, who hadn’t played goaltender before this season, made 10 saves. The Centurions’ offense was missing a key player in junior Sam Felder.
Her sister, freshman Sara Felder, had several chances for breakaways in the first half, but was often unable to outrun the Indians’ deepest defenders.
“Sam normally plays up top, and it’s hard without her,” Guy said. “Sara is a dominating player, and you can see it. She played her heart out and is so skillful. When it’s only one person (without Sam), there’s only so much that one player can do.”
The Indians extended their win streak to eight games, and the Centurions lost their third consecutive game.
Tags: Greensburg C.C., Shady Side Academy
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